User:Johnragla/Dannevirke railway station

Dannevirke's sewage discharge was the single largest contributor of phosphorus to the upper Manawatu River during low flows. It wasn't complying with consent conditions and in 2011 one of three oxidation ponds was seeping sewage into the river. Regional and District Councils planned to stop it by lining the ponds at a cost of $3.75 million by 2014.

Tamaki-nui-a-rua (Dannevirke) started to grow from a small township in the bush (around 60 houses) with the arrival of the railway in 1884. Three prominent businessmen of the town petitioned the Government Lands Board in 1884 for land to be set aside as a Domain. Suburban Section 12 (an original 40 acre section) of the town was set aside by the Lands Board as the Dannevirke Domain for recreation purposes. A Domain Board under the control of the Waipawa County Council administered it, although a Town Board governed the town from 1885 to 1892. At this time organised sports were played on the Domain but it was mainly grazed and not developed. The Domain Board was incorporated into the Dannevirke Borough Council in 1892.

 In 1911 the Coronation Baths opened on the Domain to commemorate the Kings (George V) coronation in 1910.

 First A&P Show held at the Domain 1910.

 In 1911 the Band Rotunda was completed.

 The first grandstand opened in 1912.

 Extensive amenity plantings established (Redwoods).

 In 1923 the War Memorial was placed in the Domain.

 In 1923 the construction of a playground was started. This playground was replaced in 1999. Camping ground established pre 1936, formally approved in 1940 by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. New amenities block built 1970.

 Wildlife reserve operated in the 1950’s.

 Weather recording site established.

 Scout Hall built and Scout Park usage agreed (not a formal lease) prior to 1970.

 Deer Park formally established 1969 with approval from the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

 Judo Hall relocated onto 29 George Street 1970 (old YHA hostel).

 Fountain built in 1985 (donated).

 Pavillion built inside grandstand (which has been strengthened at some point).

 Boat lake built by Rotary 1970’s. 3.01 ha block may have been purchased for part of this use.

 New playground donated 1999

 Paddling Pool removed 2009.

A water supply from Mangatera was built about 1898.

A cinema opened in 1911.

Service cars were running a Palmerston North-Dannevirke service by 1927 and to Napier by 1932. From at least 1935 to 1940 a service car ran from Dannevirke via Waione and Pongaroa to Ākitio.

Dannevirke railway station''' opened as Henderson's Siding on 15 December 1884 and as Dannevirke on 13 June 1887 13/8/1895 – ex Dannevirke. It closed to goods on 31 August 1985 and the last regular passenger train was the Bay Express on 7 October 2001. The 1983 station, 600 metre concrete platform, sidings, 1903 verandah (or canopy) and a passing loop remain. '''

When the railway reached the district it was first intended to build the station at Tahoraiti (now Tapuata) which was then a busy centre, having a post ofﬁce, station, store, hotel, soap-factory and coaching stables. At Dannevirke, the siding which had been purchased by Matthew Henderson (H & Wratt timber mill), soon became important, as the Railway Department (NZR) permitted goods to be consigned there and passengers to travel from there. Trafﬁc at the siding soon eclipsed that at Tahoraiti and NZR took by proclamation half the width of Queen Street from Stairs Street to Princess Street and built a station on the Queen Street side of the line.

The verandah has been protected by Category 2 listing 4415 since 28 June 1990. It was one of the first created by George Alexander Troup, following his 1902 promotion as Designing Engineer, which led to the 'age of elegance' in station buildings. Cast-iron pillars support the canopy. Brackets with an ornamental pattern of leaves and fronds, as used in later stations designed by Troup. In 2002 Dannevirke Host Lion's Club restored the canopy. Its corrugated iron was replaced in 2003. Following a petition by local residents, a small, plain station building was moved from the former Tahoraiti terminus to Dannevirke. In 1901 a second petition was presented to parliament, asking for a larger, more convenient building. In 1902 plans for a new building were drawn up and NZR acquired a site opposite the original station, on the town side, in 1903. The building cost £2,800 (or £12,000) and was opened on Monday 31 August 1903 by the Minister of Railways, Sir Joseph Ward, with local MP, Charles Hall. It was of timber, with a Marseilles tile roof, general and ladies' waiting rooms, luggage and parcels office, booking office, lobby, stationmaster's office, mail, store, porters' and lamp rooms, and canopy. The day of its official opening was declared a half-holiday in Dannevirke and, in his speech at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Railways stressed that the building 'marked the advance of time'. In 1958 and 1983 upgrades were shelved and in 1962 demolition was planned, but delayed to 1983, when a much smaller station building replaced it. Only the canopy was retained. Seven years later the station office was closed. 1911 - Windows and shutters added to mail room windows/booking office. Chimneys removed. 1912 - Four platform seats added. There was a bookstall by 1901, which was enlarged in 1925. 1936 - Alterations to bookstall and parcels office. 1961 - Ambulance building equipped. In 1993 the station building was 'for lease'.

Early settlers split railway sleepers, with a 2 miles long, 10 to 12 feet high row on the road side, so that the town was called “sleepertown”.

''a 2nd class stationmaster's house was built by Donald McLeod, a Waipukurau carpenter. Angus McKay built the station buildings''

''From 1880 Kopua had 2 trains a day. It was shown in 1891 as a flag station, still with 2 trains a day. It didn't appear in 1897 adverts. ''

''By 1896 there was a and a passing loop for  wagons. In 1898 the loop was for wagons and further lengthened in 1911 to  and 1940 to  wagons. Cattle yards were added in and railway houses in  and. ''

''1883	Estimate of cost and plan of proposed station building. Contract let for station buildings to Alexander & McFarlane, amount £2710.8.0. 1884 Contract let for station buildings to Alexander & McFarlane,''

Wednesday, 16 August 1882	Report on J Martin's offer of land for station at Danevirke.

1884	Proposal for Danevirke station – to be situated at, or near, Henderson's siding. 1885	Re: Henderson's siding at Danevirke. 1887 Application of Henderson & Watt for a private siding at Danevirke. 1887	Application of D McCallum for site for steam engine. 1898	Application by Bradley & Coy for a tramway right at Dannevirke. 1894	Application of Hawkes Bay Timber Coy for siding accommodation at Danevirke. 1939	Application for private siding – Texas Oil Coy (Australasia) Ltd. 1934	Private siding right – Dannevirke Woodware Coy Ltd.

On 8 June 1883 Jay and Haynes took on a £13,615 contract to build the 8+1/4 mi extension south from Matamau to Tahoraite. When they went bankrupt, the work was taken on by the Public Works Department. Dannevirke opened on 1 December 1884, when the 7 mi Matamau to Tahoraiti section extended the line from Napier. Monday, 15 December 1884	Tahoraiti – Matamau opened for traffic.

Monday, 15 December 1884	Station opened as a flag station with a shelter shed and passenger platform. 1885 tracing showing proposed arrangement of station with estimate of £748 for station. By 1887	Stationmaster appointed. Now has a 4th class station building. 1887 buildings to be removed Tahoraiti to Dannevirke. On and from Monday, 13/6/1887, Tahoraiti will be flag station and Dannevirke will be opened as a booking station, with stationmaster. 1887	Post Office operated by Rys Department staff opened. 1891	Third class station with luggage room. 1892	Recommends erection of a verandah at station. 1893	Post Office removed from station. 1898	Postal Department – Provision of a small room for storing mails. 1888	Fourth class station with luggage room. 1890	Additional accommodation required at station – engine shed, coal and water service, and turntable. 1896 3rd class station building, passenger platform, cart approach to platform, goods shed 60ft x 30ft, loading bank, coal accommodation, water service, engine turntable, engine shed, stationmaster's house, urinals. 1900	Proposed station improvements.

The old station was demolished in 1903.

1971	Present station opened year ending 31/3/1904. 1904 special station, goods shed 100ft x 30ft, 1894 1933	Tenders close for the lease of the bookstall. 1943	55 foot 1 inch turntable extended from 50 foot turntable. 1952	DE engines may be turned 1953	The turntable at Dannevirke has not been used to turn engines during the past twelve months. 1959	There is a 55 foot turntable. Earthquake damage on 30/12/1938. 1984	Station building, low level platform, goods shed, loading shelter. 1896	Loop 29 wagons, 1898	Loop 38 wagons,  1904	Loop 74 wagons

1887	Stationmaster's house was shifted from Tahoraite to Danevirke recently. 1892	Proposal to erect a house for locomotive driver. 1922 Houses. 1929	Cottage No A1308. 1948	Dwelling No A986. 1955	1 State house for Rys Department completed.

1890	Mayor, Woodville – resolution passed at a public meeting at Woodville respecting removal of engine shed to Danevirke. Protesting against removal of station buildings from Woodville to Danevirke. 1891	Cost of shifting engine shed from Woodville to Danevirke. 1930	Fire in engine shed. 1947	Fire in engine shed. 1895	The correct mode of spelling this name is Dannevirke with two 'n's, meaning “work of the Danes”. It indicates the building of a bush township by the Scandinavian immigrants who founded it in 1872. The spelling Danevirke although authorised by the Postal Department and largely used in the district by the English population and new-comers, produces a hybrid word, part English, part Danish. Postal Department – we will change the spelling when we have occasion to print the next lot of forms. The Lands & Survey Department, however, perpetuate Danevirke.

1896	Application by Mrs Annie Davis for permission to sell refreshments at station.

1896 78 miles 11 chains from Napier. 1904 33 miles 58 chains from Palmerston North. 1943 33 miles 60 chains from Palmerston North. 1987 53.39km from Palmerston North Junction Points (0.00km).

In 1966 a railcar caught fire near the station and 67 passengers had to complete their journey to Napier by bus.

1988	Tenders called for the sale for removal of goods shed. 1989	Goods shed demolished.